Tire Size: 205/50 or 205/55 or 205/60?
 

Hey, I'm looking for a straight answer on Tire Size. According to the online calculators, using a 205/55 is almost dead-nuts perfect to stock height, which will keep my speedo accurate. However, all the local stores seem to push me to 205/60, while you guys seem to suggest the 205/50 size. Am I missing something here? Should I be aiming for stock height with the calculator, or is there an advantage to going lower (either performance or cosmetic)? Thanks.....

the smaller the tire, the quicker it will accelerate. But really it will probably be hard to find a STREET tire in the 50 or 55 height. I have sumitomo htr 200's in the size 205/60R13 and they are great.

Size: Diameter Width Section Height
205/50-14 22.1 8.1 4.1
205/55-14 22.9 8.1 4.5
205/60-14 23.7 8.1 4.9

Hope that helps you.

I wasn't very clear in my note.... sorry. That's what happens when I post before 7 am!

I am going to 15" wheels, so the 205/55/15 matches up, ratio wise at least, with the stock size of 205/60/14.

My question is: why would the dealers want me to stay with the 60 size, or why should I move to the 50 as everyone seems to suggest? Are there benefits from either that I just don't understand?

Well, the 205/50/15 is right at stock tire height on an non-SE, and on the correct offset wheel, I can assure you they do not rub. Even on a car that is very low. Tire rack's site lists the 205-50 as the 15" equivilant for my 83.
I don't know what the SE had for stock size, but I imagine that either a 205- 50 or 55 would be very close to the same diameter, like about 10mm difference. I don't think that would be enough to see any difference, visually. It could make a minor change in the accuracy of the speedo. Performance wise, The 50 series would make a slight difference in acceleration and handling, but it would be so slight you may not even be able to tell. Therefore, get whichever size you can get the best tire and price combo.
A 205/60/15 would be way too tall, and could cause clearance issues.

Thanks for the insight. The Tires.com guys keep telling me that the 60 is fine, but I don't believe it. They must just have a lot in stock. :rolleyes:

The 60 should be cheaper but the 50 does fit well and looks good.
I never use and odd number that ends with a 5 (45,55,65) unless it is for my truck then 285/75/ it is.

I know a lot of manufacturers are using odds as OEM tires. Is there a reason to not use them?

There is if you can go down or up one to save a lot of money.

My wifes car came with 195/55/15's and they wanted $102 a tire. I went with 195/60/15's and got them for $52 a tire. That is good enough reason for not to.

So figure this out,

Again lets use her tire for this 195/55/15,

Ok so 195mm wide, 55% of the width is the measurement of the side wall, so really is going up to a 60 gonna make that much of a difference?

It would help gas milage on the interstate a slight bit over going to a 50 and since she drives 30 miles each way I went to a 60. Also the 60 I went with was a 60,000 mile tire where the 50 0nly came in a 40,000.

I guess to answer your question, it all depends on what you want and can afford.
I know some people that use the exact tire, brand, and size that came on their car. I think that is stupid if you have other options that can save you money or get you more miles.

Hope that helps.

Well, according to tirerack, the 205/55/15 is the 15" equivilant for an SE.
205/55/15 = 23.9"
205/50/15 = 23.1"
More brands and choices in the 50 series vs the 55, though.
If the wheels have the right offset, and the suspension has the room, perhaps a 215/50/15 (23.5") would be another option. I may look into that size for my car, once I have worn out the current 205/50/15 Falken ZE-502's. I love these tires, but they are no longer available.

I went with 205/55-15 on Koenig wheels. $605 delivered with locks and lug rings.

http://www.geocities.com/pjr300/rx7-wheels.html

Thanks everyone for all the feedback and words of advice!